CN107962992B

CN107962992B - Customized massage programming using touch screen interface

Info

Publication number: CN107962992B
Application number: CN201710946296.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吉荣·莱姆; 安布尔·拉维恩·霍尔; 布莱恩·博兰
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2016-10-19
Filing date: 2017-10-12
Publication date: 2022-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-12
Also published as: US20180104135A1; CN107962992A; US10507159B2; DE102017124209A1

Abstract

A massage system includes a seat having a first surface, a first massage assembly below the first surface and including a first matrix of inflatable bladders, and an interface including a touch screen. The system further includes a controller that displays an image of the matrix on the touch screen, receives touch input from the touch screen, interprets the touch input as an indication of a desired massage sequence, and causes the first massage assembly to implement the desired massage sequence.

Description

Customized massage programming using touch screen interface

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to programming or compiling a customized massage program. In particular, a massage program may be compiled using a matrix image presented on a touch screen that generally matches a massage airbag matrix within a vehicle seat.

Background

Various types of vehicle seats have been developed that use integrated pneumatic air bags to perform a massage function. Such seats most often use large air bags designed primarily for seat adjustments to implement a massaging pattern through a series of current adjustments. Some seats have recently been developed that use smaller airbags for dedicated massage acting on smaller areas. The massage sequence may be implemented in a predetermined sequence by inflating and deflating such smaller balloons.

However, the incorporation of smaller air bags has led to the possibility of greater variation in the specific shape or effect of the massage that the seat is capable of performing. Accordingly, an interface that allows a user to easily assemble or program a customized massage that takes advantage of this capability may be desirable.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, a massage system includes a seat having a first surface, a first massage assembly below the first surface and including a first matrix of inflatable bladders, and an interface including a touch screen. The system further includes a controller that displays an image of the matrix on the touch screen, receives touch input from the touch screen, interprets the touch input as an indication of a desired massage sequence, and causes the first massage assembly to implement the desired massage sequence.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a vehicle includes a seat having a first surface and a first massage assembly positioned below the first surface and including a first matrix of inflatable bladders. The vehicle further includes an interface having a touch screen, and a massage controller that displays an image of the matrix on the touch screen, receives touch input from the touch screen, interprets the touch input as an indication of a desired massage sequence, and causes the first massage assembly to implement the desired massage sequence.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for implementing automatic massage includes displaying an image of a matrix on a touch screen, receiving touch input from the touch screen, interpreting the touch input as an indication of a desired massage sequence, and causing a first massage assembly including a first matrix of inflatable balloons corresponding to the matrix image to implement the desired massage sequence by selective inflation and deflation of the balloons.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat illustrating the incorporation of various massage assemblies into the vehicle;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the massage assembly of FIG. 1A, schematically illustrating additional components of the massage system;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a vehicle incorporating the seat and massage system of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a massage sequence that may be implemented using one of the massage assemblies of FIG. 1B relative to the back of an occupant;

4-6 illustrate user interfaces during various stages of compiling massages to be implemented on one or more massage assemblies, according to one embodiment;

7-11 illustrate user interfaces during various stages of compiling massages to be implemented on one or more massage assemblies according to another embodiment; and

fig. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating logic for facilitating user assembly of a customized massage in accordance with one or more described embodiments.

Detailed Description

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in fig. 1A. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that discussion of a particular feature of a component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not imply that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such direction or that it extends only in such direction or in such plane, unless otherwise specified.

Referring to fig. 1A-1B, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a massage system. The massage system 10 includes a seat 12 having a

first surface

14a or 14b, a

first massage assembly

16a, 16b or 16c below the first surface 14 and including a first matrix 18 of inflatable bladders 20. Note that when referring collectively or collectively to massage assemblies, they may be referred to simply as massage assemblies 16; however, when discussing a particular massage assembly, it may be referred to as one of the

massage assemblies

16a, 16b, or 16c, while referring to other similarly numbered components in a similar manner. The system 10 further includes an interface 22 (shown in fig. 1B, which may be included in a vehicle human machine interface ("HMI") 36 or a smartphone 88 in communication with the controller 26) including a touch screen 24, the interface 22 displaying the image 28 (fig. 4) of the first matrix 18 on the touch screen 24 and receiving touch input (which may be a moving touch 70 or a tap or release 82). The processor 25 interprets the touch input as an indication of the desired massage sequence 32 (fig. 3). The controller 26 causes the first massage assembly 16 to implement the desired massage sequence 32.

Referring additionally to fig. 2, in embodiments where the seat 12 is a vehicle seat, specifically configured for use within a vehicle 34, the system 10 is shown in place. Further, the touch screen 24 may be included within a human machine interface HMI 36 within the interior of the vehicle 34 or otherwise governed by the functionality of the human machine interface HMI 36 within the interior of the vehicle 34. In an embodiment, the touch screen 24 may be included within a human machine interface 36, the human machine interface 36 being positioned adjacent to a particular seat 12 associated with the system 10. In the example shown in fig. 2, the seat 12 may be a front vehicle seat such that the touch screen 24 may be included within an HMI 36 positioned on a front instrument panel of the vehicle 34, although other locations are possible. In such embodiments, the massage function may be accessed through a menu of various other functions associated with the vehicle 34 that are available for monitoring and/or control by the HMI 36. As shown in fig. 1B, processor 25 and controller 28 may be directly connected to each other, including by being in a single unit associated with seat 12 and residing within vehicle 34.

Additionally or alternatively, when a smartphone 88 is used as the interface 22, the processor 25 of the system 10 may be considered to be the processor 25 within the smartphone 88. In this manner, the processor 25 within the smartphone 88 may interpret the

touch input

70 or 82 as the desired massage sequence 32 for compilation and transmission to the controller 26 for implementation. Such transmissions may be made through various communication means, including through a controller area network ("CAN"), or using wireless fidelity (WiFi), bluetooth, etc. The input interpretation and massage assembly functions may be implemented by a specially programmed application program, for example, stored in the memory of the smartphone 88 and executed by its processor 26. For example, the input 22 within the vehicle HMI 36 may be used to confirm receipt and execution of the sequence 32 assembled by the smartphone 88.

In the illustrated embodiment, as well as in other variations or embodiments of the system 10, at least one of the various massage assemblies 16a included within the system 10 may be positioned within a seat back 38 associated with the seat 12 such that the massage assemblies 16a and/or 16b positioned therein may contact respective locations of the back of the occupant O, as schematically illustrated in fig. 3. As shown in fig. 1A, the additional massage unit 16c may be positioned within an adjacent pad 40 connected to the seat back 38.

A system 10 of the type generally described herein and shown in fig. 1A-3 may implement massage functions within the seat 12, typically by selectively inflating and deflating respective air bags 20 included in the various massage matrices 18 within the air bags 20. More specifically, each massage assembly 16 may be associated with a respective air cell matrix 18, the air cell matrix 18 including an array 42 of air cells 20, each such air cell 20 being independently inflatable and deflatable, extending in a first direction 44 and a second direction 46. The individual bladders 20 may be sized and positioned close enough together that the continuous inflation and deflation of the bladders 20 in one of the

directions

44 and 46 may simulate movement of a single object under the surface 14. In this manner, a group of adjacent ones 20 of the air cells 20 may be similarly inflated together, with subsequent inflation of adjacent ones 20 of the air cells 20 and deflation of opposing ones 20 of the air cells 20 simulating movement of a larger object beneath the surface 14 in one or both of the

directions

44 and 46. As shown, a plurality of air bags 20 may be included in the matrix 18 to extend over the area of the seat 12. In an embodiment, at least four balloons 20 may extend in the first direction 44 and at least 8 balloons 20 may extend in the second direction 46, although other arrangements are contemplated. Additionally, bladder matrix 18 may be a generally gas impermeable, flexible polymer, including a pair of overlying films of such material joined (including by fusing, adhering, or otherwise) by bonding. In this manner, a plurality of seams within the matrix 18 may separate the individual inflatable bladders 20 from one another.

The massage assembly 16 may further include a respective manifold unit 48 that supports the matrix 18 and communicates with the matrix 18. Specifically, the manifold unit 48 may receive air from the pump 50 through respective supply lines 52 that are further coupled to a supply manifold 54, as desired. The manifold unit 48 may direct air received from the pump 50 to each of the inflatable bladders 20, and may further control the deflation of the bladders 20 by either discharging the air therein to the ambient environment or drawing the air back into the manifold unit 48 itself. Such air distribution may be accomplished by a plurality of capillaries branching off the supply line 52 or by providing open reservoirs therein that are independently connected to some of the inflatable bladders 20 through respective valves. In this manner, the manifold unit 48 and the pump 50 may be communicatively connected with the controller 26 for causing the pump 50 to pressurize the system 10, and for causing the manifold unit 48 to selectively inflate and deflate the aforementioned air cells 20 in accordance with a desired massage sequence (e.g., the massage sequence 32 described in fig. 4-11 and discussed further below).

Turning now to fig. 4-6, and with continued reference to fig. 1A-3, one process by which a user may customize a massage sequence 32 to be implemented by the system 10 using the massage assembly 16 via the interface 22 is illustrated. Such a process is generally described herein as using the touch screen 24 in a "pen mode" in which the user can draw a desired massage sequence 32 directly on the image 28 of the matrix 18 on the touch screen 24. As shown in fig. 4, the user may begin by using touch input to select the pen tool itself and optionally a desired thickness of the pen tool. In one example, such thickness generally corresponds to the number of air pockets 20 included in the width (i.e., generally perpendicular to the direction in which the massage sequence 32 is drawn (fig. 6), as discussed further below). As shown in FIG. 5, the user may then use a particular input in the form of a continuous moving touch 70 on the image 28 of the matrix 18 on the touch screen 24. Such input 70 may indicate a line 72 along which the user desires the massage sequence 32 to be implemented. Thus, as shown in fig. 6, the processor 25 may interpret the location, shape, and orientation of the line 72 as a desired massage sequence 32 by selecting a pixel or grid space that is included in the massage sequence 32 as a pixel or grid space of the balloon 20 (including the inflatable balloon 20 of the inflatable balloon 20 having the indicator image 74 in contact with or intersecting the line 72).

As described above, the width of the selected pen tool may be used by the processor 25 to determine the number of bladders 20 used to define the width of the desired massage sequence 32, which is defined in a direction orthogonal to the line 72. In one example, a pen tool may be given a "slim" setting in which a single one of the air bags 20 is used to select the most appropriate one of such air bags 20 by the processor 25 to implement the massage sequence 32 along the line 72 for various positions along the length of the line 72. In further examples, a "middle" line may be used, wherein two adjacent balloons 20 are adapted to the sequence 32 along the length of the line 72. Similarly, a "wide" pen may be used and interpreted by the processor 25 as the desired massage sequence 32 by using three adjacent bladders 20 extending along the line 72. As further shown, the processor 25 may cause the image 28 displayed on the touch screen 24 to indicate the air bags 20 included in the massage sequence 32 in the air bags 20, for example by changing the color of the selected air bag image 68 included in the matrix image 28 forming the massage sequence 32 in the air bag image 68. As further shown, the direction 76 of the moving touch input 70 may be interpreted as a direction for the massage sequence 32 and may be used to assign or otherwise match an order in which selected ones of the balloons 20 (i.e., corresponding to the pointing images 74) are inflated and deflated. In further embodiments, the interface 22 may allow the user to select the speed at which to execute the massage program 32 to adjust the speed at which to execute the massage sequence 32 up and down by interpreting the speed of the drawn line 72 as being associated with a desired massage speed or by providing additional input on the touch screen 24.

Turning now to fig. 7-9, and with continued reference again to fig. 1A-3, additional processes by which a user may enter a massage sequence 32 are described. Such a process may be selectively implemented in the same processor 25 and controller 26 within the system 10 as a pen tool input as described in fig. 4-6. Alternatively, processor 25 and/or controller 26 may implement the processes described herein as an alternative to the processes discussed above in fig. 4-6. In particular, the illustrated process, beginning with fig. 7, shows that a user may place various preselected massage elements 80 at various locations along the matrix image 28 for execution in corresponding areas within the seat 12 by the massage assembly 16. As shown in fig. 7, a plurality of

selection boxes

78a, 78b, 78c, and 78d may be included in the image presented on the touch screen 24 adjacent to the matrix image 28. These various frames 78 may correspond to various massage shapes that the controller 26 may implement using the massage assembly 16. For example, the frame 78a may correspond to a rolling massage, wherein inflatable balloons 20 of a predetermined length or width may be actuated in a rolling manner in the first direction 44, the second direction 46, or a diagonal direction in a rolling or pulsating motion, wherein such inflation proceeds to varying degrees in an increasing or decreasing manner as successive balloons 20 are inflated and deflated. In a similar manner, the selection box 78b may represent a circular massage sequence in which some of the bladders 20 are inflated and deflated in a circular or substantially circular motion. The selection box 78c may represent lines of different widths in a preset or user selectable direction in a manner similar to that described above. Further, the selection box 78d may represent a combination massage, wherein a particular row of air cells 20 (e.g., in the second direction 46) is sequentially inflated and deflated in a continuous outward manner, in a row-by-row manner over a predetermined distance and in the first direction 44 (which may simulate a stretch massage), and so forth.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the user may drop a desired preselected element 80 of the preselected elements 80 by tapping the desired selection box 78a-78d and then further tapping the desired area within the image 28 for implementing the desired preselected element 80, or by tapping and holding the desired selection box 78a-78d and dragging onto the desired area of the image 28 before releasing the drag in the desired area of the image 28, at which time the processor 25 causes a representation of the preselected element 80 to be displayed on the matrix image 28 by changing the representation of the included air bag 74.

As further shown in fig. 8, the interface 22 may allow the user to select or change the size of elements 80 to be placed on the image 28 for implementation using the massage assembly 16. As shown, when the user taps or holds on a desired one of the selection boxes 78a-78d, an adjustment box 84 may be presented adjacent thereto. In the illustrated example, the selection box 78b corresponding to the circular massage element may be associated with a trim box 84 that presents three different sizes of circular massages to be added to the desired massage sequence 32 (fig. 3). In one example, the smaller circular massage may include four adjacent massage bladders 20 (fig. 1B), and the larger circular massage elements may expand outwardly therefrom. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, a medium circular massage may be selected and placed in the area of the tap or release 82 within the image 28, as shown by image 74, which image 74 represents a single balloon 20 that will be sequentially inflated and deflated in a circular direction (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise) that is next to four adjacent balloons. In an example, an additional adjustment box 84 may be added that may allow the user to select in various sizes in a particular direction (i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise).

As shown in fig. 9, an alternative process for adjusting the size of the desired massage element 80 (fig. 8) is shown, wherein the user may use a plurality of taps and releases 82 of an outwardly extending pinching motion to increase the size of the particular element 80 to be added to the massage sequence 32 (fig. 3). In a similar manner, inward movement may reduce the size of the desired element 80. In this manner, the user may add a desired number of preselected elements 80 of different types and/or sizes to the image 28 for implementing the entire massage sequence 32 performed by the controller 26 (fig. 1B) using the massage assembly 16 (fig. 1A). As shown in fig. 10 and 11, when a plurality of elements 80 are pre-positioned (e.g., by having been added, as described above), the processor 25 may allow the user to select and/or change the order in which the pre-selected elements 80 are implemented for placement throughout the massage sequence 32. As shown, the user may perform a moving touch input 70 in a particular direction 76 to indicate a line 72 through each placed massage element 80. The processor 25 may interpret the order in which the preselected elements 80 intersect or otherwise contact the line 72 to represent the desired order of the preselected elements 80 within the massage program 32. In a similar manner, when line 72 intersects first element 80, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, processor 25 may interpret the user as desiring that controller 26 repeat sequence 32 until instructed otherwise by the user. In alternative embodiments, processor 25 may interpret the order in which elements 80 are added to the desired order and/or may provide additional orders in which elements 80 may be manually reordered. Similarly, the processor 25 may facilitate the ordering of the combination of the pre-selected elements 80 and the user-drawn line-based massage elements, which are positioned in a similar manner as described above with respect to fig. 4-6. Further, such combinations of various line-based or predetermined massage elements 80 may be ordered in a manner similar to that described in fig. 10 and 11, including the order in which they intersect the line 72 drawn by the user.

Note that a single matrix image 28 is shown in fig. 4-11, which may be used to illustrate various air bags 20 located in specific areas of the seat 12, including, for example, areas within the seat back 38 actually acted upon by the

multiple massage assemblies

16a and 16 b. In further embodiments, various images 28 may be presented in a manner corresponding to each massage assembly 16 (including on each side of the seat back 38) and the massage assembly 16a within the cushion 40. Such various images 28 may be presented alongside one another in a two-dimensional arrangement, allowing a user to develop a massage sequence 32 that extends over the various matrices 18 in a single action.

Note that in the illustration of the vehicle seat 12 shown in fig. 1A, where the matrix 18 occupies only a central region of the seat back 38 that extends through the lumbar 56 and thoracic 58 portions of the seat back 38, and where a separate air bag 20 is shown within the seat back cushion 60, the matrix 18 may extend across the entire width of the seat back 38 including the seat back cushion 60. In a similar manner, one or more matrices 18c may extend through the pad central region 62 and the pad 64 of the pad.

Turning now to fig. 12, a method by which the processor 25 and controller 26 (fig. 1B) may implement a user-selected massage, including using the system 10 (fig. 2) as described herein, is shown. Specifically, at step 110, the user electronically (including wirelessly) interfaces with the controller 26 using the processor 25, such as through the HMI 36 (FIG. 2) or another touch screen 24 (FIG. 1B) and/or interface 22, including the smartphone 88 (FIG. 1B). Subsequently, in embodiments where both a "pen" type selection and a shape layout selection are available, the interface 22 may allow the user to select between the two modes at step 112, at which point the processor 25 enters the pen mode at step 114 or the shape mode at step 116. In pen mode 114, processor 25 waits to detect a continuous movement input 70 at step 118, which indicates the drawing of line 72. When such an input 70 is detected, the input 70 is interpreted and stored as a line 72 (FIG. 5) at step 120. Processor 25 then determines the balloon image 68 that touches or intersects the line 72 stored at step 120 (step 122). At step 124, the balloons 20 (FIG. 1B) corresponding to the intersected balloon image 68 are added to the stored massage sequence 32. Subsequently at step 126, the direction 76 of the line 72 is interpreted and associated with the inflation sequence of the selected ones of the bladders 20 (e.g., the sequence stored in memory at step 128). Subsequently, at step 118, the processor 25 waits for further continuous movement inputs 70 and further adds line-based elements to the massage sequence 32 for further continuous movement inputs 70 by repeating steps 120 and 128 until the compilation sequence is exited at step 130, at which time the controller 26 implements the massage sequence 32 by activating the pump 50 (FIG. 1B) and using the manifold unit 48 (FIG. 1B) to inflate and deflate the appropriate ones of the bladders 20 to control the inflation and deflation of the desired bladders 20 in the order indicated by the compiled massage sequence 32 (step 132).

Alternatively, when entering the shape mode 116, the processor 25 waits for the selection of a new size or shape at step 134. If a new shape is selected at step 136, the shape is assigned to the selected shape in memory. Alternatively, if a drag or tap is detected by the processor 25 on the touch screen 24 (FIG. 1B) without selecting a new shape, the latest shape in memory (step 138) is used as the specified shape. Subsequently, if a drag or tap is detected at step 140, the specified shape is added to the entire sequence 32 (FIG. 3) in the area of the touch screen 24 corresponding to the matrix image 28 (step 141). At this point, processor 25 awaits further input at step 116. Upon detecting further dragging or tapping at step 138, the latest or new shape is further placed in the appropriate area of the matrix image 28 and the corresponding air pocket 20 of the appropriate massage assembly 16 is added to the sequence.

As shown at step 142, when the continuous movement input 70 is detected during the shape mode 116, the input 70 is stored as a line 72 at step 144, and the processor 25 determines the direction 76 of the line 72 at step 146. The processor 25 then assigns an order to implement a sub-sequence of inflation and deflation of the bladder 20 corresponding to the shape defined by the preselected elements 80 (fig. 8), as shown in fig. 10 and 11, to correlate with the direction of the line 72 determined at step 146 (step 148), and the controller 26 then executes the massage sequence 32 based on the compilation thereof as the compilation sequence begins at step 150. After a predetermined time has elapsed or the user has selected, the controller 26 ends the massage at step 152.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

For the purposes of this invention, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, now, made, past, etc.) generally means that two components (electrical or mechanical) are directly or indirectly joined to each other. Such engagement may be fixed in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate elements formed integrally with each other or with the two components as a unitary body. Unless otherwise specified, such engagement may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or elements or other elements of the connector or system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the components and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed of any of a variety of different materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a variety of different colors, textures, and combinations thereof. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It should be understood that any of the described processes or steps within the described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A massage system, comprising:

a seat having a first surface;

a first massage assembly below the first surface and comprising a first matrix of inflatable bladders;

an interface including a touch screen, the interface displaying an image of the first matrix on the touch screen and receiving touch input;

a processor that interprets the touch input as an indication of a desired massage sequence; and

a controller that causes the first massage assembly to implement the desired massage sequence,

the touch input is in the form of a continuous moving touch on an area of the touch screen displaying the image of the first matrix;

the processor interpreting the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence by defining the continuously moving touch as a line on the image of the first matrix and including in the massage sequence the one of the air bags that is in contact with or intersects the line;

the processor further interprets the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence by matching a sequence of inflation and deflation of the air cells included in the massage sequence with a direction of motion of the continuous movement touch input.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first matrix comprises an array of adjacent independently inflatable and deflatable balloons, the array comprising at least four balloons in a first direction and at least eight balloons in a second direction.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the touch input is further one of a tap or a release within an area of the image of the touch screen that presents the image of the first matrix; and is

The processor interprets the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence by including in the sequence a preselected massage element in the position of the tap or release.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the preselected massage element is selected by a user on the touch screen and includes at least one of a circular shape, a linear shape, a stretched shape, and a scrolled shape.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the processor includes preset massage form factors in contact with or intersecting the line in the massage sequence.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor further interprets the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence by matching a sequence implementation of the preset massage form factor included in the massage sequence to a direction of motion of the continuously moving touch input.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the seat comprises a cushion and a seat back connected with the cushion; and is

The first surface is included on the seat back.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a second massage assembly comprising a second matrix of inflatable bladders, wherein:

the seat having a second surface included on the cushion; and is

The second massage assembly is positioned below the second surface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the seat is in a vehicle; and is

The touch screen is centralized by the functionality of a human machine interface included within the vehicle.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a seat, the seat comprising:

a first surface; and

a massage controller that causes the first massage assembly to implement the desired massage sequence,

the processor interpreting the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence by defining the continuously moving touch as a line on the image of the first matrix and including the one of the air bags that is in contact with or intersects the line in the massage sequence;

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein:

The processor interprets the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence by including a preselected massage shape in the sequence in the location of the tap or release.

12. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein:

the processor includes preset massage form elements in the massage sequence that contact or intersect the line and implements the sequence of preset massage form elements included in the massage sequence to match the direction of motion of the continuous moving touch input.

13. A method of implementing an automated massage for a vehicle, comprising:

displaying an image of the matrix on the touch screen;

receiving a touch input from the touch screen;

interpreting the touch input as an indication of a desired massage sequence; and is

Causing a first massage assembly comprising a first matrix of inflatable balloons corresponding to the matrix image to implement the desired massage sequence by selective inflation and deflation of the balloons in the balloons;

the touch input is in the form of a continuous moving touch on an area of the touch screen displaying the image of the matrix;

interpreting the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence comprises defining the continuously moving touch as a line on the image of the matrix and including in the massage sequence the one of the balloons that is in contact with or intersects the line;

interpreting the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence further comprises matching a sequence of inflation and deflation of the air cells included in the massage sequence with a direction of motion of the continuous movement touch input.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein: the automatic massage is implemented in a seat of a vehicle having a first surface; the first massage assembly is positioned below the first surface; and is

The touch screen is included in a human-machine interface within the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the touch input is further in the form of one of a tap or a release within an area of the image of the touch screen that presents the image of the matrix;

interpreting the touch input as the indication of the desired massage sequence comprises a preselected massage shape included in the sequence in the location of the tap or release.